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Johnson & Wales University-Providence

#1499 in US ranking Providence, RI
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$62,760
Tuition & fees
$44,122
Avg. aid
$25,107
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
890–1160
ACT range
22–27

Outcomes

Graduation rate
55%
Median salary
$42,538
1 yr after graduation

What does Johnson & Wales University-Providence offer in terms of athletics?

JWU Providence's Wildcats compete in NCAA Division III varsity athletics, including competition in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference for many sports. This is a campus-specific distinction: a broad institutional data field that says "NCAA: No" does not accurately describe the Providence Wildcats' varsity affiliation.

Varsity opportunities include sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, lacrosse and wrestling. A general list of activities associated with a university should not be taken as a list of current NCAA varsity teams: football, for example, should not be assumed to be a JWU Providence varsity sport.

Students interested in participation without a varsity roster can investigate current club, intramural and recreation offerings. Those activities have different schedules and eligibility rules from varsity teams. NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships, although students may qualify for other forms of financial aid.

What student groups and Associations are available at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

JWU Providence students can join recognized organizations spanning student government, academic interests, cultural communities, service, recreation and the arts. Student government provides one formal route for raising student concerns and taking part in campus decision-making.

Students interested in media or performance can look into the student-run campus newspaper, theater activities and choral groups. Professional-interest organizations are particularly relevant for students seeking peers in fields such as business, hospitality or food. Organization names and activity levels can change, so the current Providence student-organization directory is the best way to identify an active group and its meeting schedule.

Who studies at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

JWU Providence enrolled 4,303 students in the reported 2024-25 population. Its entering undergraduate class included 1,092 first-time, degree-seeking students, and 136 transfer-in degree- or certificate-seeking students.

The student body draws heavily from beyond Rhode Island. Reported geographic shares were 15% Rhode Island residents, 84% students from other U.S. states and 1% from other countries. These figures describe enrollment, not an admissions preference or a prediction of a particular student's experience.

Most enrolled students were of traditional college age: the largest reported age groups were 18-19 and 20-21. The university also enrolled students in older age groups, so adult applicants are part of the population even though they are a smaller share. Reported teaching staffing included 243 full-time and 192 part-time faculty members, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1; that ratio is not a typical class size.

How does student life look like at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

Daily life at JWU Providence combines an urban campus with academic and social activity spread across Downcity and Harborside. Students may move between the two areas for classes, dining, athletics or events, so travel time can shape an ordinary day.

New students can use orientation and campus programming to learn the layout and meet classmates. Beyond classes, the university reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling services. Access, appointment procedures and any service limits are worth checking directly, especially for students who will live off campus or manage a demanding course schedule.

The mix of residential students, commuters and students arriving from other states means there is no single campus routine. A prospective student can get a more useful picture by comparing the locations of required courses, likely work hours and available gathering spaces than by relying on enrollment size alone.

What libraries are available to students at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

JWU Providence students have access to the Johnson & Wales University Library for research materials, study and help locating academic sources. The library's value extends beyond its physical collection through online journals, databases and other digital resources used for coursework.

Library staff can help students develop search strategies, assess sources and find materials their course requires. Students planning substantial research should check the library's current borrowing, interlibrary-loan and remote-access procedures, along with study-space availability and term-specific hours. Those details can matter especially to commuters and students working outside standard class times.

Johnson & Wales University-Providence Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

4303

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1089

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

243 full time, 192 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Johnson & Wales University-Providence Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 3,908
Graduate: 395

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 4,032
Part-time: 271

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 697
Men: 392

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 661
Black or African American: 430
White: 2,279
American Indian or Alaska Native: 12
Asian: 143
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 2
Two or more races: 128
Unknown: 140

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Johnson & Wales University-Providence Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men––

Basketball

BothMen–

Cheerleading

–Both–

Crew

–Both–

Cross-country running

BothMen–

Equestrian sports

Both––

Field hockey

Women––

Golf

–Men–

Gymnastics

–Women–

Ice hockey

Both––

Lacrosse

Both––

Rugby

–Both–

Skiing (cross-country)

–Both–

Skiing (downhill)

–Both–

Soccer

Both––

Softball

Women––

Volleyball

WomenBoth–

Wrestling

MenWomen–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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